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Beer, Brats and Bands: Oktoberfest Hits Bethesda

Enjoy signature beer, German cuisine and live entertainment during Bethesda's Oktoberfest celebrations.

Bethesda residents can experience a little taste of Munich, Germany this upcoming week when Oktoberfest hits town.

The festival will offer great food, delicious craft beers, and live music and entertainment.

Bethesda’s Redwood Restaurant and Bar and DoubleTree by Hilton hotel will be hosting Oktoberfest-style events with German traditions, but with a few twists.

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On Saturday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Redwood will be hosting their Second Annual Redwood Oktoberfest at Bethesda Row, complete with grilled bratwurst, craft beers, and costume contests—and of course, an abundance of lederhosen. 

Many local restaurants, area vendors and fifteen different breweries—including locals Flying Dog, Old Dominion, and Dog Fish Head—will be serving their signature beer.

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And if all that beer and food was not enough to bring you out, a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will beefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, says Amanda Earley, marketing director at Redwood. 

“We think it’s such an amazing organization and wanted to partner with them again like last year,” Earley said. “It’s great because this event is supporting a good cause and at the same time is going to be so much fun.  It’s going to be bigger and better than last year.”

Regular admission the day of the event for one is $25, or day of admission with a commemorative t-shirt for one is $45. You can also pre-order tickets through LivingSocial and receive a VIP ticket for $88, which includes an open beer bar, all-you-can-eat Oktoberfest buffet and access to the VIP lounge area. 

Doubletree will also take part in Bethesda’s Oktoberfest festivities. The hotel has partnered up with Samuel Adams to host a stein-hoisting competition on Thursday from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.  The winner has a chance to compete at the national level and win a trip for two to Oktoberfest in Munich next year. 

“This area is a multicultural community and it’s nice to recognize all the different cultures,” says Craig Luparello, food and beverage director at Doubletree.  “This is a German celebration but it’s also a fall celebration.  It all speaks well to our community.” 

Doubletree will be serving Oktoberfest-style food and drinks, and the event will feature a DJ.

“Our chef will be grilling Oktoberfest-style food like bratwurst and definitely selling a lot of beer including Sam Adams,” Luparello says.  “We’re definitely expecting to fill the party.”

You must be 21 to attend the event. Admission is free and appetizers are complimentary. You must purchase drinks and the bars are full service.

Other celebrations nearby include Germantown’s annual Oktoberfest, which has moved to Clarksburg for this year.  The free festival is set for Saturday, Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you can’t make the events, you can still celebrate at home.

“Oktoberfest is about bringing groups of friends together, getting some really awesome Oktoberfest-style craft beers and grilling bratwurst,” Earley says.  “It doesn’t get much better than that!”

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